Radiofrequency Ablation at PDEC

What are thyroid nodules and who is at risk?

A thyroid nodule is a growth of thyroid tissue or a fluid-filled cyst that forms a lump in the thyroid gland. Thyroid nodules are fairly common. In fact, about 75% of all individuals will have a nodule on their thyroid gland during their lifetime and may not even know it. The problems occur when thyroid nodules grow to a size that interferes with breathing and swallowing or affects the physical aspects of a patient’s appearance that they find unappealing. Thyroid nodules are more common in women than men and often women will experience enlarged thyroids while pregnant.

For the most part, thyroid nodules remain small, pose no threat, and will only require occasional professional monitoring. However, some thyroid nodules, although benign (non-cancerous), grow large and cause breathing difficulties and or cosmetic symptoms. Typically, thyroid surgery and negative side effects associated with such surgery – including permanent scarring or no treatment at all – were a patients’ only option for reducing nodules; but not anymore! Now there is an alternative option to surgery.

Thyroid radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a fairly new treatment that is successful in reducing thyroid nodules.

75% of all individuals will have a nodule on their thyroid gland during their lifetime

Thyroid Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) for Benign Thyroid Nodules

Thyroid nodules, even when benign (non-cancerous), can grow large and cause swallowing or breathing difficulties, persistent cough, or cosmetic concerns. Learn about thyroid radiofrequency ablation, a non-surgical treatment for thyroid nodules.

What is Thyroid RFA

Radiofrequency Ablation, also known as RFA, is a minimally-invasive option to treat thyroid nodules. Guided by ultrasound imaging, doctors can precisely deliver radiofrequency waves to heat up thyroid nodules to shrink them. The procedure is conducted in an outpatient setting using local anesthesia that enables patients to resume normal daily activity almost immediately after.

The RFA Procedure: Step by Step What to Expect

About an hour prior to the procedure or upon check-in, we can offer patients a small dose of medicine to help them relax. Patients will sometimes dose off during the procedure, but you can be as awake as you’d like to be! Numbing medicine will be applied under the skin and around the thyroid gland.

Once you’re relaxed and your neck is numb, a thin radiofrequency needle is inserted and directed into the nodule under continual ultrasound guidance. Radiofrequency energy emitted from the tiny active tip at the end of the needle causes very precise destruction of the targeted tissue. The needle is systematically guided through the entire nodule and the process is repeated until the nodule is completely treated.

You will be ready to go home about 30-45 minutes after your procedure and any post-treatment discomfort you may have is easily managed with Tylenol.

Why Choose Thyroid RFA?

Thyroid RFA is an amazing minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment for undesirable thyroid nodules that can make surgery and radioactive iodine (RAI) obsolete for many patients with benign thyroid nodules! This procedure is a quick, safe option that enables patients to resume normal daily activity almost immediately with a minimal recovery period.

The term radiofrequency (RF) refers to an alternating electric current oscillating between 200 kHz and 1200 kHz. Application of Radiofrequency agitates tissue ions as they attempt to follow the changes in direction of the alternating current, thus creating frictional heat around the electrode. Although heat creates immediate damage to the tissue, this is significant only in regions within a few millimeters of the electrode.

Benefits of Thyroid RFA

Preserves your healthy thyroid tissue
Allows your thyroid to function normally without the need for a lifetime of medication
Minimally invasive procedure
Performed under local anesthesia
Performed as an out-patient procedure, which means no downtime or hospitalization
Shorter recovery times
No scarring
Volume reduction
Low complication rate
Worldwide use
Quality of life

Informational Email for Interested Patients

Good afternoon Ms. Laymon,

Ultrasound guided radiofrequency ablation is an alternative non-surgical minimally invasive modality in the treatment of the benign thyroid nodules. It is an effective method in reducing the size of the benign thyroid nodules and in controlling nodule-related compressive symptoms and cosmetic problems.

Once you meet with Dr. Grady, he will determine if you are an ideal candidate, review treatment and outcomes and give instructions for this outpatient procedure. Prior to this appointment, we do ask that you have your patient records sent via fax to (503)972-7573 or they can be emailed to portal@pdec.org.

Here is a link for more information about the Thyroid Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) treatment with Dr. Scott Grady at Portland Diabetes and Endocrinology Center: https://pdec.org/rfa-for-thyroid-nodules/

The cost for this outpatient procedure is $6000.00 and payment can be made with your Healthcare HS, credit card, check or cash prior to scheduled appointment. If you have more questions about costs or how to bill your insurance, we can have our insurance and billing team contact you to discuss.

Here are a few research articles on the procedure:

https://www.ajronline.org/doi/full/10.2214/AJR.09.3372

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25446422/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5447637/

Tips for Seeking Reimbursement from Insurance Carriers

This procedure is a cash pay procedure. Services rendered must be paid for in full upon time of completion. However, we have had many patients submit and receive partial-to-full reimbursement from their private healthcare insurance carrier for this procedure.

The procedure code we use is: 60699

If there are additional questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Best regards,

Your PDEC Team

RFA Video